05/04/2016 AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 4, 2016
Present: Chair Denise L. Rosenberger, Board Member Richard Porraro, Board Member W.
Bruce Brock
Absent: Vice Chair Thomas D. Black, Board Member Paul A. Doric
Also Present: Matt Smith —Assistant City Attorney, William Morris — Marine & Aviation Director,
Gordon Wills —Operations Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan — Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.
2 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve minutes of the February 3, 2016 Airpark Advisory Board meeting as submitted
in written summation.
Member Brock moved to approve minutes of the February 3, 2016 Airpark Advisory Board
meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4—Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) David King said the Airpark had many Sun n' Fun visitors, corporate
traffic and fuel sales were good, and business was up. He reported only grass spaces were
available and more hangar space was needed; each name on the 2-page waitlist had submitted
a $250 deposit. He said there was room to construct one more corporate hangar on the north
side of the corporate hangar.
5—Old Business
5.1. Updates: Beacon, Sidewalks, Gutters, and Painting Shade Hangars
Operations Manager Gordon Wills said there was no place to install a beacon at the Airpark; it
may be possible to locate one on top of the new corporate hangar when it is constructed.
It was recommended that dirt left next to some of the new sidewalks be removed to avoid
tripping hazards. It was stated some tenants had concerns that rain water splashed off the new
sidewalks into their hangar. Mr. Wills said rain diverters had not resolved that problem. Staff
was working on a solution, such as gutters. Shade Hangars A & B were water blasted, primed,
painted, and the asphalt was seal coated. Work soon will be scheduled for Shade Hangar C.
6 — New Business
6.1. Airpark Master Plan Grant
Mr. Wills reviewed his meeting with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation)
representatives to discuss changed Master Plan requirements. Approximately 75% of the
Airpark's Master Plan remained valid. Updating the plan would cost$100,000 or less; the City
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received an $80,000 grant for the work. Refurbishment of Hangar C and the 20 -year dream of a
new terminal will remain in the plan. The beacon and new corporate hangar will be added.
Resident Ellen Hess requested an update on future plans for the Airpark.
Mr. Wills said the property only had room for one more building and perhaps a few more
helicopters. A 2 -story terminal with meeting room, hangar and restaurant space would cost up to
$5- million, with the City responsible for a 20% match.
Mr. King said a new corporate hangar would add only 6 — 8 small planes to airpark traffic, flying
once or twice a day. He said a restaurateur may be interested in financing the match for the
terminal in exchange for a long term lease for restaurant space. Marine & Aviation Director Bill
Morris said creativity would be necessary to meet resulting parking needs, such as adding a floor
to the terminal with parking below. The hangar space could house a repair maintenance facility.
Discussion ensued regarding the popularity of airpark restaurants to fliers, neighbors, and
residents and the benefit of additional community meeting space. Concerns were expressed re
ongoing reductions to the Airpark's footprint as pieces of land kept being appropriated for non
airpark uses such as drainage, public works storage, and a natural gas station. Proposed
expansion onto the adjacent golf course's driving range was not approved.
6.2. Denise Rosenberger's reappointment to AAB
Chair Rosenberger was congratulated on her reappointment to the board.
6.3. UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems)
Mr. Wills said the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) had issued guidelines for drones and
model airplanes. UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) owners were required to register their
aircraft and obtain prior approval from the operations manager before operating within 5 miles of
an airport. The Airpark has given verbal approval for several requests; one operator requested a
letter of understanding. UAS must operate outside flight paths and below 200 feet.
EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)
It was reported the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) meetings had relocated to the
classroom in CAP (Civil Air Patrol) building 4. It was stated the CAP continued to process EAA
paperwork and had not yet provided them a key. The EAA planned a modest improvement to
the property once the lease was finalized.
7 — Agenda for Next Meeting — August 3, 2016
8 — Adjourn
The meetingad ?rned at 1:32 p.m.
Attest:
Board Repo ' e
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